Gamasutra

Now that Sonic Generations has arrived for most of the world, the inevitable questions are popping up: what’s next for the Sonic series? We’ve heard already that there are “no plans” for classic Sonic post-Generations (and our inevitable reaction was no doubt heard ’round the Internet), but beyond the upcoming Sonic 4: Episode 2 release next year, there hasn’t been much indication of where Sonic’s going next.

In an interview with Gamasutra, Sonic Team producer Takashi Iizuka sat down to explain his views on moving the series forward, stating that “Generations is about taking the past 20 years of history and rolling it into one really fun product. I think, as a result, I would like to make a new standard Sonic, a modern Sonic if you will, in 2012 and beyond.“

Also, the obligatory fanbase question and answer:

The Sonic series has a lot of really passionate fans. When you’re charting a course for the series, how much do you have to listen to that fanbase? How much of the decision is based on where you think it should go?

Well, the fact that Sonic has kept going for the past 20 years is because it’s received all that support from fans over the years. I try to preserve the image of Sonic that these fans are looking for, and I try my best to participate in the assorted fan events that take place.

So I treat those voices seriously, but on the other hand, I think it’s also necessary to surprise them, to turn against their expectations — in a good way. I want to introduce new aspects that don’t shake what the fans want, but also provide something new to the package.

You can check out the entire interview (along with the “I feel old” realization of both parents and children enjoying Sonic games) over at Gamasutra.